I decided to transition to texlaxed hair today. I was 12 weeks post and decided impulsively that I wanted my hair to have a little more texture in it so I texlaxed my hair today. I TRIMMED IT ON THE 23RD OF JANUARY 2009. First things first - I covered my previous relaxed hair with Design Essentials pre-relaxer protectant and 5 minutes later - I texlaxed.

Here is what I did. I took about:
8-9oz of Mizani Butter Blend relaxer (mild strength, lye)
added 3 tablespoons of Silk Amino Acid
and 3 tablespoons of grapeseed oil and mixed well until blended.

Then I applied it to my roots beginning in my most resistent area (ie, my crown area) and worked my way to the edges all around, front and rear. I worked it through for a total of 12-14 minutes including application time. I never use a comb to pull my relaxer through, I simply work it in with my fingers only.

Finally I wash it out, apply a 5 minute protein treatment, rinse again and proceed to neutralizing my hair about 4-5 times but the last time I leave the neutralizing poo on for a period of 8-10 minutes. When I wash this out I deep condition and style as usual.

UPDATE:
I was not aiming for bone straight hair but then I didn't want to leave too much texture in my hair either. I mixed this just right because my hair came out exactly how I wanted it to.

I noticed just before I put on the neutralizing poo, that my hair felt bone straight but right after applying it, it's like the neutralizer stopped the processing of my hair dead in it's tracks and my soft curlies were back. I loved it!

I know that I will have to make sure I keep up with my protein treatments to keep the demarcation line really strong. I have my beloved Duo Tex protein conditioner now so I will be using that maybe once a week to every 10 days or so. I have other protein conditioners I will be using as well though. I will post an update pic of how it came out later too.

Here is evidence that I am a Product Junkie and in need of some counselling and guess what? This isn't even all I have. Some of my products are still on order.

I joined the Ovation Cell Therapy/ Mega Tek Challenge on LHCF on May 13, 2008 officially. I decided to start out with the Mega Tek Cell Rebuilder first for about 60-90 days and than move onto the Ovation Cell Therapy afterwards.

Mega Tek Cell Rebuilder grows hair 10 to 50% faster and makes it 30% stronger so less and less hair falls out. It also re-grows fingernails up to 50% faster and make them 30% stronger. It can also be used as a super moisturizer for dry calloused hands.

Please see a link to more info on Mega Tek:

http://www.epinions.com/review/Mega_Tek_Cell_Rebuilder/content_68431810180
http://www.valleyvet.com/Library/lib_24237_-Human%20Crossover_Benefits.pdf

I learned from the challenge that the ladies were having issues with shedding which by the way is how the MT works to bring in new hairs. The old hair sheds and the new ones come in. So I decided that when I start, that I would wash and condition with Nutirne garlic shampoo and conditioner to slow it down a little. I also deep condition once a week with Alter Ego garlic treatment.

Another thing I learned was that it was best to dilute the Mega Tek cell rebuilder by adding oils and moisturizer to it and that's what I did.

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HERE'S MY MEGA TEK CELL REBUILDER RECIPE: THIS METHOD I ALTERNATE WITH THE METHOD BELOW - Oct 1st, 2008

--8 oz MT cell rebuilder
--1oz Jamaican Black Castor Oil
--15 -18 drops of rosemary or peppermint or lavender essential oil (or 5-6 drops of each)
--1 tube of MN (Fougera brand miconazole Nitrate) bought from www.amazon.com

--Mix the MN with the mega tek cell rebuilder in a bowl first so it can soften a little and blend easier.


MY MEGA TEK REGIMEN:-

-Mix all ingredients together in a color applicator bottle, shake and squeeze on scalp only daily and when I'm lazy I'll put it on my scalp every other day.

-Then I wash it out with the Mega Tek Premier Natural Botanical Equine Shampoo and put the Mega Tek Creme Rinse conditioner right in with the shampoo and leave the two on my hair for 5 minutes then wash out in the shower.

-Once a week I follow the MT poo & con with some diluted Nutrine garlic poo and con, and deep condition/treat with Alter Ego garlic treatment for 30 - 45 minutes.

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REVISED MEGA TEK REGIMEN: THE FOLLOWING REGIMEN IS THE ONE I AM CURRENTLY USING & ALTERNATE WITH THE ONE ABOVE - Oct 1st, 2008

-About 2 - 3 times a week I put the MT cell rebuilder (undiluted) on both my freshly washed scalp and the length of my hair for 10 minutes with heat followed by premier creme rinse. I do not leave the creme rinse in, I wash out after about a minute. Then I deep condition for 30-45 minutes.
This method I alternate with my nightly scalp mega-sagging with undiluted Ovation Cell Therapy on my pre-oiled scalp the following night.

PLEASE NOTE: Other oils can also be used, such as almond oil, extra virgin olive oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, carrot oil, wheat germ oil, jojoba oil, ayurveda oils and any other oils you choose. I like this recipe because it smells delish!! Also the oil might separate by the next day, simply shake again and apply to your scalp. Another very helpful hint is to take odorless kyolic garlic supplements to combat shedding from the inside out.

I will do a growth check after the 60-90 days, by then I should have some type of notable progress and if not, I will discontinue using the MT and move onto my Ovation Cell Therapy which I'm eager to start anyway.

Aggie

THIS RECIPE HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO MANY FOR SHEDDING HAIRS & FOR THIS YOU WILL NEED:

7-9 garlic cloves
2 oz extra virgin olive oil
1 plastic cap

RECIPE:

Crush the garlic cloves until very fine. Mix in with the olive oil and heat in a microwave oven for about 20-25 seconds or hot enough to apply on your scalp without getting burned. Apply mixture to scalp, put on plastic cap, sit under dryer with medium heat for 30 minutes or a little longer without heat.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This mixture can be used 3 times a week if desired. Please keep unused product in the refrigerator in order to preserve it for about 7 days. Simply re-heat and use again. Please discard any unused portions after 7 days.

THIS RECIPE HELPS TO STOP BREAKAGE & SHEDDING & YOU WILL NEED:

-2 oz of Extra Virgin Olive Oil - adds moisture as a pre-poo treatment and excellent at combatting dryness between relaxers.
-2 oz of Jamaican Black Castor Oil - hydrates, conditions, and adds a high degree of elasticity to the hair strand.
-2 oz of Unsulphured Blackstrap Molasses - helps to stop breakage and the copper in it helps to keep the hair from turning grey.
-10-12 cloves of fresh garlic - aids in slowing down or stopping hair from excessive shedding.
-10-12 drops of rosemary or tea tree essential oil for added stimulation and fights dandruff.

RECIPE:

-Crush garlic cloves and add all ingredients together and store for in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat.

-Pour the contents in a color applicator bottle and shake vigorously before use.

-I refridgerate it if I don't use it fast enough or simply make less so that it doesn't grow any bacteria. Can be strained after a day or two of infusing before use.

-The essential oil helps to prolong the life of the mixture.

-I saturate my hair and scalp with the mixture and pre-poo for 45 minutes to an hour before shampooing.

-Follow up with a MOISTURIZING DEEP CONDITIONER for at least 30 minutes or more.

NOTE: THIS RECIPE AN BE USED ONCE A WEEK FOR 4-6 WEEKS OR UNTIL SHEDDING AND BREAKAGE SUBSIDES.

I only do a very simple indigo mixture as indigo does not co-operate well with a lot of other powders and conditioners or oils. So here is my simple Indigo recipe:

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
--125 grams, ie, 1.25 boxes (about 4.5oz) of indigo
--Distilled water (hot but not boiling water)
--1 teaspoon of sea salt
--1 Tablespoon of Cornstarch diluted in a little warm water to add to the indigo (the diluted cornstarch mixture helps the indigo to adhere to the hair better - no more mess all over the place for me anymore).
--plastic wrap
--foil wrap
--newspaper to spread on the floor during application
--Old dark towel for shoulders
--Paper towels to wipe up excess spills/droplets of indigo paste

RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS:

-Mix all the ingredients in a plastic bowl to the consistency of a thick yogurt-like paste. Please note: I make sure my hair is still damp AFTER the henna treatment and free of any shampoo, conditioner and oils.

-I apply the indigo to my henna-ed hair from roots to tips immediately after mixing. The indigo color does not have to release, it must be applied right away because it will lose it's coloring properties if allowed to sit too long.

-I then wrap my hair air-tight for 1-2 hours with plastic wrap and foil wrap.

-I then wash out the indigo with lots of water and cheapie conditioner for at least 5 or 6 times.

-I end the whole process with deep conditioning for at least 3-4 hours - half of the time with heat and half without. Sometimes I will sleep with my DC on my hair overnight depending on whether or not it's on a weekend and I have the time.

UPDATE:
MY HAIR CAME OUT PRETTY BLACK THIS TIME. I LOVED IT!!!

For my next treatment I might mix the henna and indigo together. I really wanted my hair black this time, hence the separate applications. Indigo is very hard to apply. It does not behave well during application, it drops all over the place and neither does it stick to the hair like henna does but I have found that the cornstarch mix helps to eliminate this problem.

Aggie

Can I say SLIP SLIP SLIP - that's what this tea does to my hair.

This FENUGREEK SEED TEA RINSE mixture would include about:
2 oz of fenugreek seed powder (bought from www.amazon.com
3 oz of coconut oil or Vatika oil and mixed with about
4 cups of distilled water,
let it come to a boil and allow to cool for a few minutes, strain, (I use a stocking cap for straining)
Pour fenugreek mix over pre-oiled hair, put on a plastic cap for about 30 minutes with or without heat under a hooded dryer or simply wrap with a steamed towel.
Deep condition hair like you normally would with a deep conditioner for 30 minutes to an hour and style as usual.

The fenugreek will give added strength, conditioning, softness, slip and shine to your hair. It is also known to speed up hair growth. The extra fenugreek liquid can be refrigerated for later use alone or mixed with other powders.

MY REVIEW OF THE FENUGREEK TEA RINSE

Wow my hair feels really really GREAT! Did I say SOFT & SILKY, and oh my goodness - MEGA SLIP. The comb simply slid effortlessly through my tresses after I washed it out. This is definitely an added staple of mine.
Aggie

I think it's about time I post my MN recipe in my fotki. I have been using it up until I started my Mega Tek Challenge and will no doubt go back to it as it really helped my hair grow quite a bit - I'd say up to about 3/4" in a month. It also kept my scalp totally free of dandruff.

HERE'S MY MICONAZOLE NITRATE (MN) RECIPE:

2 tubes Family dollar Brand MN can be used or Fougera MN brand from www.amazon.com
1/2 jar sulfur 8 grease (sulfur powder can be substituted and mixed in moisturizer and oils below)
1/2 bottle (6 oz) BB oil moisturizer hair lotion with castor oil and aloe (pink & white bottle)
15 drops each of rosemary, tea tree and peppermint essential oils
3oz extra virgin coconut oil
3oz castor oil
2oz shea butter oil from amazon.com.
2oz extra virgin olive oil
1oz grape seed oil (this is not necessary but I'm trying to use it up and it's pretty good for the scalp.)
1oz jojoba oil (if you have any - also good for the scalp.

**This recipes makes about three 8 oz (color applicator) bottles which last me a long time so when I get pms this is the only recipe I go by therefore you will have to decide your own proportions for a smaller batch ok.

**Also I feel that as long as you have the MN, SULFUR, ESSENTIAL OILS, CARRIER OILS AND SOME TYPE OF MOISTURIZER .. IT SHOULD WORK

**I just like to make a whole lot because the sulfur 8 grease needs to be whipped really good and the coconut oil melted and I don't wish to do this very often .

**I add this mixture to my scalp (only) every other night before bed.
**I only wash and deep condition my hair twice per week - Wednesday and Sunday.
**I clarify my hair once every 3 - 4 weeks.
**I moisturize my hair ends once a day again at night before bed and sleep with a satin bonnet on.

**This treatment has been helpful to a lot of ladies that reported back to me for seboric dermatitis and mild eczema.

**I used monistat at first then switched to Fougera miconazole nitrate cream because monistat was becoming way too expensive for me. I also found that it was a wise change because not only is it saving me a ton of money but works just as great as monistat or better.

By the way, I have not had any dandruff since starting this treatment. My hair has a grown an average of 1/2" to 3/4" per month with the MN and compared to my normal 1/4" of growth per month without MN, I'd say that's pretty good, wouldn't you?

Aggie

FYI: Here's some information on MN I found on www.associatedcontent.com:-


Here's why anti-fungal cream might work to give you faster hair growth. The main ingredient in Monistat Vaginal Cream is Miconazole Nitrate. It's a synthetic antifungal used to stop fungus. It can work to promote hair growth because its oxidizing agents provide oxygen for the scalp allowing it to "breathe" and promote a healthy growing environment. Other antifungal creams have been used for years to treat dandruff and some have reported that it has sped up their hair growth at the same time.

There's no need to worry about the safety of using Monistat on the scalp. If it's safe enough to use to treat a yeast infection in the vagina, one of the most sensitive places on a woman's body, it's safe enough to try on the scalp. The question is, will it speed up your hair growth or be a waste of money? Each person is different so you would have to try it for yourself.

There have been some reported mild side effects, mainly headaches, if the Monistat is applied directly to the scalp without diluting it in a carrier oil such as olive oil, castor oil or jojoba oil. Mix the Monistat, or another brand of vaginal cream containing miconazole nitrate, with a carrier oil and follow up with a moisturizer to provide the moisture you need to comfortably apply the cream to your scalp.

There will always be some that argue against using miconazole nitrate on the scalp and in hair products because they claim that it doesn't work and that it's a waste of money. And some will turn their noses up at the idea of using Monistat Vaginal Cream on the scalp. It might just be worth a try though as some people say that it has worked for them.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR RINSE

The outer layer of the hair, the cuticle, covers the hair shaft and protects it like the bark on a tree. The cuticle is made of overlapping layers of long scales that lie along the surface of the hair like shingles on a roof. It is the condition of the cuticle scales that determines whether you are going to have a bad hair day. When the cuticle is in good shape, is unbroken, and lies flat, your hair has a smooth appearance. When the layers of the cuticle are tightly knit together, the light is able to reflect off the cuticle. This is what makes hair shine! The cuticle opens when we shampoo our hair. When the cuticle layers are open and not knit together, the hair will feel rough, coarse and brittle. The hair will absorb the light rather than reflect it, which gives the appearance of dull and lifeless hair.

Vinegar removes scaly build-up and residue from hair shafts and closes the cuticles. Since residue coats the hair causing it to look dull, removing residue gives your hair more shine. By closing the cuticles, the hair slides more easily and there will be fewer tangles.

To remove the dirt and other build up from your hair you can mix a 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar in one gallon of bottled water or for a smaller amount mix 1oz of ACV to 2 cups of water. This can be stored in the refrigerator and can be used every two weeks for clean, smooth, silky and shiny hair.

ACV is also great for healing dandruff, itchy scalp, thinning hair and is a miracle worker for dry brittle hair. It helps to restore the proper acid/alkaline/ph balance to the scalp and hair follicles!

The proper way to use this solution is to wet your hair with warm water, shampoo it, rinse it out. Pour two cups of this mixture and leave it in your hair for 10 minutes. The last stage is to rinse your hair with cold-water. Some people use this rinse before and some use it after the conditioner. I think it is best after the conditioner. The vinegar scent should go away once dried.

EXTRA ACV BENEFITS:
When taken internally, ACV is a rich source of potassium as an artery softener and a great detergent of the arteries fighting dangerous bacteria and viruses. ACV is a powerful enzyme and is a perfect ph and alkaline balancer. It regulates blood, aids in digestion, and is great for calcium, sinus, and arthritis and weight control.

Aggie